Monday, June 24, 2013

Card Design: Digi Darla's Challenges #68--At the Beach

Hey guys! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. It is Monday morning over here in my corner of the world and that means it is time to show you my latest creation for this week's challenge over at the distinguished Digi Darla's Challenges Blog. This week for Challenge #68 the theme is "At the Beach". We want to see water OR sand somewhere on your project. With the summer approaching quicky, it is the perfect time to be creating cards with these features.Don't forget one person will be the lucky winner of FIVEDigi Darla (DD) images!AND any entries using a DD image get entered into a SECONDdrawing for THREE images. So, you could technically win eight images! If you do use one of Kim's wonderful images make sure you let us know by writing DD after your name when you enter.

Let me start of by saying this. This card is a complete abstract fantasy piece. I know that the majority of the elements are not the right colour and certainly not shaded properly but this week I just needed some time to unwind and do something silly.

I had started working on the digital design of this before the corruption of computerville and somehow, when I was in the midst of making some backups, I backed up right over it and lost the file. Knowing all that work had gone to waste, I decided I didn't care that this wasn't going to be a representation of my better work. I just needed to play around and try working with some new patterns and brushes.

That being said, I apologize to Kim, Heather and Faith, if it looks like an eight year old designed this card.

I was very lucky that this month the image in the Delightful Inspirations progressive challenge fit in with the theme and thus became the focus for the inside of the card. Yay! I managed to create a two-for-one post! That is a good four hours minimum time I've saved being able to combine these two challenges. Right now I'll take every second I can get!

FRONT

Digital Images:

The four fish used in this design: You can find the fish in the DD store by clicking either the watermark or image name linked above. As you can see from the watermark, I took the fish and separated them so that I could have them swimming exactly where I wanted them. You have the option of also purchasing all four fish in the same image if you want. To purchase the 'Four Fish in the Sea' image click HERE.

I've also added a crab and underwater sea bed image from Fresh Brewed Designs. Clicking on either watermark will take you to their spot in the store.

Okay, so here we go. First up, I'm going to show you a copy of the digital creation. I put so much time into doing the fish scales and shading, and once again it is so much smaller when printed that you can't really see the effects. Thus, I figured I'd show you the original creation before I resized and printed it. If you click on the image to bring it up in the lightbox, you'll be able to see the detail so much better.

First I duplicated each fish. The bottom layers of the golden fish (top left) and the green fish (middle) were coloured and then I used a pattern from BrixStock to create the scales on the top layer. I found it interesting that when I added the scale pattern, at a 69% opacity, that the colour underneath changed. For example, would you believe that the original colour in behind the top and side fins of the golden fish actually are a deep golden colour but for some reason they turned grey. I'll definitely have to experiment with that. It seemed that all the darker colours take on a greyish look but the lighter colours retain a semblance of their original hue. Things that make you say hmmm....

For the grey and burgandyish fish I used a brush from an artist named Tijo who is with Brusheezy

The rest of the effects were achieved by using a number of different filters in Photoshop Essentials 5.

Embellishments:

The blue sparkly ribbon is Celebrate It brand purple label from Michael's.

INSIDE

Digital Image:

Sea Turtle Beach Digital Stamp Set: As I mentioned in my general information section, I was lucky enough this month to be able to combine my Delightful Inspirationsprogressive stamp of the month challenge with this week's Digi Darla's Challenges theme. In order to enter the DI progressive challenge, you
must either have received the latest image by having participated in the
previous month or you can buy the stamp for the current month's
challenge. Everyone
who enters and follows the rules is a winner because you
automatically get the stamp for the next month's challenge and what amazing stamps they are. Stop by the
site and check out the rules
for yourself. While you are there, have a look around. They have some really great images. You can find this set in the store by clicking on the watermark below.

The sea turtle beach image was also coloured digitally. Once again I've included a copy of the digital creation in case you want to check out any of the details closer.

Some more challenges may be added to this list later this week and/or month.

So, why not come and show us what you've got by entering in our current challenge this week over at Digi Darla's Challenges?While you are there please check out the wonderful creations from the rest of the design team. We always look forward to seeing the delightful creations you come up with.

Thank you so much for stopping by. As I've now added to my comment section, whether
you are a regular, here for the first time or popping over in your
official capacity as a DT member, please know how much I appreciate the
words that you leave behind. Your encouragement helps me to become a
better designer. I try my best to reply to your comments (when an
email address is available) but that is getting more and more difficult
as my plate fills up with new responsibilities, new roles, and new
obligations. If I don't get the opportunity to thank you personally,
know that I don't take a single comment for granted. Thank you for your
understanding.Until next time,

Note:I
apologize if there are any formatting issues with the above text. This is a
scheduled post and we all know Blogger has a mind of it's own. If it
turns out that something looks wonky,i.e.--part of the sentence is a different size, font, or colour than the rest, I'll fix it as soon as I'm able to.

Lisa, first of all, I was naughty having a chuckle at your reference to the corruption of computerville. I know I shouldn't have as you definitely would not find the corruption funny at all.Secondly, your card is gorgeous, amazing colouring and a beautiful under water scene. Love the crab and the turtles.{I would love you to take part in my 600 Follower Give-away. Thank you so much if you have already entered and good luck.} Hugs Desíre {Doing Life}

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About Me

Hi! My name is Lisa and welcome to my blog. Whether drawing, painting, cross-stitching, card making, or doing nail art, I've been 'creating' since I was knee high to a grasshopper. At the end of 2011, I really started getting interested in the world of card making and nail art. I knew that there were already a lot of creative card makers, digi stamp designers, and nail artists out there and I continue to learn a lot from them, but I needed a place to showcase my work so I could enter some challenges and as a result, created this blog in October of 2012.
I live in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. I am happily married to my college sweetheart and we have been married for over 27 years. We were never blessed with children so our 'babies' have always been cats. Currently, we have one female tabby named Marigold.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you have a blast!

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